Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Park Side Café

    4.0 (90 reviews)
    Closed • 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    The Park Side Café Photos

    Business Info

    THE PARK SIDE CAFÉ ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    More like The Park Side Café

    Recommended Reviews - The Park Side Café

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Menu is posted on the glass near the register.
    Crystal F.

    Five stars for the full experience. The Victorian-era styled building in West Olympia, The Park Side Café offers plant-based dishes in style. The cafe offers small tapas-like plates of assorted vegan-friendly offerings. I ordered the visually stunning, with loads of texture and taste, Moroccan Roasted Chickpea Kale Salad no dressing. Saving room for dessert, I could not resist sharing one of their giant chocolate chip cookies and a few bites of their German Chocolate cream pie with my kids. Like a typical cafe, you order at the register. We were greeted by friendly and attentive servers. My husband ordered the German potato salad, my daughter enjoyed the Seitan & Rice Burrito, and my son was meh on the Seitan Pepperoni Pizza Hand Pie. I myself, am not a huge fan of Seitan, so I wasn't really surprised they didn't like it either. Once you are finished eating, you can wander upstairs where there is a cute kitchen supply shop and another friendly face to greet you. It was fun checking out the unique building and walking by a gorgeous bed and breakfast owned by the same woman who opened this restaurant. If you have time, I recommend walking around the grounds of the bed and breakfast next door, it is beautiful!

    Samosa with mint chutney
    Ayla B.

    The staff? Incredible! Everyone is so friendly, they answered all of my questions, and even apologized for the wait times. They're such a happy face for this lovely, little space! Did I enjoy my time? Yes. I opted for an oak milk cinnamon bun coffee and my wait for the coffee was easily 20 mins just from this spot being popular! I cannot say it was worth the wait for the coffee... it was beyond cinnamon bun sweet for me. I did like the flavor profile, but I think the sugar content may have been too high for me to enjoy this one. I also ordered the samosa hand pie and it was tasty, but a little bit dry. Now, let me talk about the mint chutney sauce, friends!! THE BEST I've had... ever. If I could drink this sauce like the food gremlin I am without getting worried looks shot my way... I 100% would. It was beautiful. Packed with the fresh mint flavor, but creamy enough to where the mint doesn't become abrasive. I drowned my hand pie in it and I have no regrets. It was spectacular.

    Giant hot chocolate
    Chris C.

    The front of house staff was so warm and welcoming and food was ready quickly- we are a large family of vegans (who have lived and eaten coast to coast for 40 years) and ordered a bunch- cabbage soup, apple handpie, pizza handpie, biscuits and gravy, apple cinnamon cheesecake, peanut butter chocolate pie, breakfast sandwich, apple strawberry cider, a tea , chocolate chip cookie and a hot chocolate. We read reviews before coming here and after eating here find any comparison to Wayside laughable- and we LOVE wayside (it's the west coasts closest version of the Chicago Diner or SoulVeg) but the food here is completely different . The flavors are understated but still there-- meaning your hand pizza has more delicate flavors that start with crust and end with the pepperoni - I'd guess most things are made in house or locally due to the lack of heaviness and saltiness you get with premade foods like beyond (typically used in every PDX vegan eatery). The breakfast sando was small and again not heavy its flavors were light and a bit overpowered by the wheat-yness of the English muffin but still delicious. The desserts were on the sweeter side and really smooth- the strawberry apple cider was too sweet for the adults, but very tasty and loved by the kids. We left feeling full, not heavy and pleasantly pleased. The whole feel is more upscale vegan brunch and while the place isn't "not for kids"- I'd enjoy it more if I didn't bring mine and could savor the food instead of playing fork wars with my offspring :)

    Our quesadillas and hand pies.
    Jessica H.

    We stopped here yesterday during a long, rainy road trip from Oregon. We were tired and cranky thanks to the hours spent in the car and the terrible weather...but this place cheered us right up! It has a bright, warm vibe and tasty food. We each got quesadillas and a hand pie. I got the enchilada hand pie and while it tasted nothing like an authentic Mexican or Tex-Mex enchilada, the flavours were delicious and I would happily order it again. The kale made it seem healthy too, ha. My friend got the creamy veggie hand pie and also loved it. The quesadillas again did not taste like authentic Mexican quesadillas but they were perfectly adequate. They came with salsa and a cashew cream dip that really hit the spot. I also got the PB&J cheesecake. It was decadant, but I would've like a little more of the jelly flavor. I'd like to try their other desserts in the future. This place has lots of little dishes that you can add together to form a "mixed plate," so it's fun to try a variety of things. Service was super friendly and the prices were reasonable. Definitely a great find in the Olympia area and I'll be back

    Alex N Gigi S.

    If I could give 6 stars I would!!! I cannot say enough about the service I received from the Parkside Café! I wanted to express my extreme satisfaction with Parkside. I do not live in Washington State, but our daughter, does and I wanted to send her a birthday surprise. I was looking through Yelp for any vegan pastry's and thank goodness we Parkside ! I called and placed an order with help from a young lady who's name escapes my mind. But I would be remiss if I did not point out how extremely helpful and patient this young lady was with me. I told her about us not living in the state and that to make matters worse my daughters' car (Kia) had been stolen the previous night just before her birthday. I explained what I wanted and she was extremely helpful in helping us (my husband & I) make our selection. In addition, I also asked this kind young lady if she could PLEASE write a HBD to our daughter directly on the box. She was kind enough to say yes. Needless, to say we could not be HAPPIER with our purchase. WOWWWW what a beautiful vegan pie and the amazing detail on the box was truly unexpected. From a pair of parents who miss their daughter and are over 3,300 miles away, THANK YOU for making my daughters day extra special!

    See all

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 day ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Won A.
    0
    95
    0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Victoria K.

    Victoria K.

    Won A.! Thank you for the awesome review. We love our customers!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Victoria K.

    Victoria K.

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Daren D.
    904
    1978
    1104

    6 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Victoria K.

    Victoria K.

    Erica! Thanks for this awesome review! We work hard for our customers!

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Victoria K.

    Victoria K.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kade R.
    63
    13
    2

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Victoria K.

    Victoria K.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Justine N.
    277
    98
    144

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Victoria K.

    Victoria K.

    Thanks for the nice review Carla!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Taylor B.
    170
    30
    26

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of T S.
    8
    148
    532

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jeannie S.
    927
    460
    1278

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Victoria K.

    Victoria K.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sarah C.
    50
    67
    44

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Victoria K.

    Victoria K.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Maya T.
    176
    36
    56

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Zach C.
    55
    10
    0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Super friendly staff and yummy vegan food. The vibe inside is mellow, a nice spot to catch up with a friend or get some work done.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - The Park Side Café

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Vegan 1,020 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Iron Rabbit Restaurant & Bar - Rancher Burger

    Iron Rabbit Restaurant & Bar

    4.0(703 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    •$$

    The three of us had a good meal there. Service was very good. I had the lamb burger that came…read morewith wedge fries. The burger was big so I had to cut it up to be able to eat it. the wedge fries were crisp and tasted great. The person that had the grilled cheese and tomato soup enjoyed it and the person that had the pasta really liked it. The desserts were really good also. I had the berry crisp was delicious and the one that had the chocolate pot de creme really liked it. It could be easy to eat too much as I did but I did enjoy everything I had and the whole family did as well.

    The service was OK. Our server was attentive and quick and pleasant but just no enthusiasm. She…read morecomped the food my husband ordered because she saw he barely touched it which was very nice of her so we tipped well. The food was just alright, but I was disappointed with what I got and was expecting more quality for the price. I ordered the Chicken Cordon Who and I was given a plate with a small handful of still-crunchy sliced bell peppers and zucchini that seemed that they had been in contact with heat for all of 30 seconds next to a pile of potatoes that were cold from sitting. The chicken breast was just meh, not very thick, not very moist, not very seasoned, not very much of it. Small amount of sliced prosciutto on top. I just think for $30 this was a ripoff by at least 1/3 of the price; I would expect an actual chicken cordon bleu at that price instead of this quick-service deconstruction. The blackberry mojito I ordered for I think $15 tasted pretty good but was missing the presence and flavor of any alcohol so there was no complexity, just ended up being a $15 refreshing fruit drink. My husband ordered an appetizer (Sirloin Diablo) for $27 and got a small bowl of steak tips submerged in a barely spicy (Diablo?) cajun cream sauce like a soup surrounded by some painfully plain, thin, unseasoned, boring grilled bread. It's not bad or very good by any means and just wasn't his thing, but charging almost $30 for that? At their prices and the way they are presented I was expecting a really satisfying dinner but walked away feeling like I would've been just as happy eating some standard fare at a local diner for half the cost.

    Photos
    Iron Rabbit Restaurant & Bar - Interior

    Interior

    Iron Rabbit Restaurant & Bar - Lamb burger with wedge fries

    Lamb burger with wedge fries

    Iron Rabbit Restaurant & Bar - Fresh lemonade

    See all

    Fresh lemonade

    Chicory - Partially eaten Sheep's Milk Galette and Smoked Boudin

    Chicory

    4.4(154 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    •$$

    The ambience is beautiful inside…read more The best part of the Baked Eggs dish was the cheese. The cheese was so flavorful, creamy, and delicious. Next best was the bread - it was perfectly soft inside with a crispy crust. Between how oily the dish was and my nose running from the increased spice as I continued eating, I wouldn't return for this dish. The eggs weren't noticeable in appearance or taste- I had to search for them. The "creamy grits" were creamy, but the black pepper taste was STRONG. Definitely ordered the side for the "creamy" factor, hoping when the server said harissa in the eggs would have a mild spice, that the grits would calm my mouth. The amount of pepper made this unsuccessful. But if you like black pepper a lot then you'll enjoy them. My son enjoyed the beignet's. The server was also the host and he was kind. It was easy to get his attention when needed. I didn't see anyone with a grin on their face after taking bites of their food. I looked around quite a bit out of curiosity. So for ambiance, kind and prompt service, and the possibilities of the menu I gave it 4 stars. We only tried the few things I mentioned. I did also appreciate the bottle of water ready on every table. Note that there is no kids menu and it's mostly table seating. So maybe try on your own or with other adults, and leave the kids at home?

    We loved checking out Chicory. Such a cute space. All the staff were lovely from start to finish…read more The pork chop was so delicious and we were in love with the dirty fried rice. The crispy bits in the rice were soooo good. Delicious side salad, loved the vinaigrette, so flavorful. Definitely will be back! Wish they had later hours.

    Photos
    Chicory - Whole Blackened Rockfish

    Whole Blackened Rockfish

    Chicory - Chicory Manhattan

    Chicory Manhattan

    Chicory - Nothing left on the Rockfish Bones

    See all

    Nothing left on the Rockfish Bones

    The Nocturnal Hound - Half of The Filbert

    The Nocturnal Hound

    4.9(14 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    I had a really great experience with **The Nocturnal Hound**. From the moment I reached out, the…read moreoverall experience was professional, friendly, and easy. It's clear that they genuinely care about the service they provide and about making sure customers feel comfortable and taken care of. One of the things that stood out to me was the attention to detail. Everything was handled carefully and professionally, and I appreciated how responsive and helpful the team was throughout the process. Communication was clear, and I never felt like I was being rushed or left wondering what was happening. The quality of service was also excellent. You can tell that they take pride in their work and have a genuine passion for what they do. They were patient, courteous, and willing to answer questions, which made the whole experience much more enjoyable. I also really appreciated the welcoming atmosphere. It's not always easy to find a business where you feel like you're treated as a person rather than just another customer, but that was definitely the impression I got here. The staff were personable and professional, and the experience felt very comfortable from beginning to end. Overall, I would definitely recommend **The Nocturnal Hound** to anyone looking for a reliable and professional experience in the Tumwater area. Great communication, attention to detail, friendly service, and a genuine commitment to customers. I'm very happy with my experience and would gladly use them again.

    This is a cute space with great food and service. It would benefit from some cozier decor…read more We came in on a Sunday afternoon and were the only guests there. We tried the Sunday School Iris wine flight, which came with four 2oz pours ranging from white to red (I loved the chardonnay; my partner loved the Rogue Valley Pinot Noir). We also split the Filbert Sandwich +turkey, which I cannot recommend enough. It was delicious and even came with a side of beans. Despite splitting the wine flight and sandwich, we both left satisfied. It was the perfect amount of food for 2. We loved the dark decor but think it needs more. Some dark hanging curtains would go a long way. We think the hanging art should be lower, with shelves full of intentional books and accoutrement up top. Maybe more of a dog-theme to match the name.

    Photos
    The Nocturnal Hound
    The Nocturnal Hound - Burratta

    Burratta

    The Nocturnal Hound - Sunday School wine flight

    See all

    Sunday School wine flight

    Uptown Grill - Basque cheesecake

    Uptown Grill

    4.5(526 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    •$$

    We had such an incredible meal at Uptown Grill! Everything we ordered was fresh, delicious, and…read morefull of flavor, and the service was exceptional. The beet salad with chicken was amazing. It had a beautiful mix of greens, beets, citrus, and nuts, with plenty of chicken. I loved the combination of flavors and textures... every bite had something delicious in it. This was definitely a salad worth getting excited about! We also had a rice bowl loaded with fresh vegetables, feta, and a creamy sauce. The cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions added so much freshness, and everything came together beautifully. Both dishes looked fantastic when they arrived and tasted every bit as good as they looked. We enjoyed beer and wine with our meal, which made for such a nice afternoon together. The exceptional service added to an already wonderful experience, and we left so happy with our visit. If you're looking for delicious food and great service, Uptown Grill is absolutely worth a visit. We'll definitely be back!

    We dined here the other day for brunch. No wait time, and we got greeted immediately. My aunty…read moreordered a coffee, but we noticed there was a lipstick stain on it. The server apologized and quickly got us a new coffee! Accidents happen so we were just happy with the quick response to the issue. We ordered the chicken and waffles, Dungeness crab Benedict, and their classic sausage and eggs plate. Chicken and waffles were super good! Crispy chicken, and the waffle was nicely cooked. It also came with a piece of bacon which brought a good saltiness to the syrup. The Dungeness crab Benedict was also amazing! Instead of a crab cake patty, it was just Dungeness crab on top! Definitely prefer it this way because other restaurants tend to skimp on the crab when they do a patty version. The hollandaise sauce on top was nice and creamy and the eggs cooked perfectly. At the end of our meal, we did get the pie of the day. It's a rotating pie everyday. That day, the pie was a blackberry and peach pie. When the pie came out, it was well plated and the crust was flaky and hot. However, the blackberries were still a little frozen on the inside, so I don't think they allowed the pies to thaw out thoroughly before baking. In general, I would give this place a 4 out 5 stars just because service was good and the rest of the food was delicious. The restaurant itself is huge with lots of space for customers. They have a somewhat open kitchen concept, if you walk towards the bathroom you can see the cooks working hard in there. Cool environment and if you're looking for a place to have brunch and drinks I would recommend visiting.

    Photos
    Uptown Grill
    Uptown Grill - Warm Northwest Blackberry Pie

    Warm Northwest Blackberry Pie

    Uptown Grill - Red blend

    See all

    Red blend

    Cynara Restaurant & Lounge - Artichoke tapenades

    Cynara Restaurant & Lounge

    4.1(184 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    We enjoyed lunch at Cynara a few days ago. My friend and I had the cauliflower pitas and they were…read morereally good - highly recommend and we are not vegetarians! My husband had the BLT and another friend had the chicken pita; both were very happy. All four meals came with fries and they were quite good also. My only complaint is that Cynara does not post the menu on their website which I find very helpful in advance. Otherwise, it was a great experience with friendly and competent staff who seated us immediately and were excellent.

    BRING YOUR WALLET... 2 at 5pm no reservation. Hostess wasn't…read morepresent but a kitchen staff, taking a break, jumped up quickly and warmly greeted us - the hostess came right after. She was pleasant and sat us in the sunshine on the patio. I was sad to see so few patrons. I will review the best part first: THE COCKTAILS: The spirits and craft cocktail selection was huge / the beer & wine not so much. My Old Fashioned was perfect! Food: Seafood Rosé Pasta (bay scallops, shrimp, northwest manila clams, rosé prosecco cream sauce, grilled bread) -- inconsistent cook on the different seafoods & the sauce was meh. Not worth $42.00 Grilled Romaine Salad (white balsamic bleu cheese dressing, gorgonzola, cherry tomatoes, aleppo toasted hazelnuts) -- plenty of romaine, could've been grilled longer / not much quantity of tomatoes or toasted hazelnuts -- basically a "side salad" for $15.00 Lobster Bisque (house smoked tomatoes, roasted red pepper, cream, butter poached langoustine lobster) -- tasted more like roasted tomato / red pepper soup (no lobster or seafood flavors) - there were 4 small pieces of poached?? langoustine lobster on top - I question poached because the pieces definitely had a bite to them. Worth $15.00 -- no. Due to reviews we had the Baklava Crumble (pistachios, honey, vanilla ice cream) -- basically cut up (very chewy, not crispy) baklava tossed over ice cream for $14.00 -- maybe a bad night for this dessert? We like to support small Olympia businesses and will go back for cocktails but the food costs are too high - we don't mind high costs IF we come away satisfied - unfortunately the food didn't measure up to the cost. As we drove away, we saw the "Budd Bay Cafe" was very busy - I think next time we'll have cocktails at Cynara, then cross the street for food and wine. We were intrigued with the "Clam Chowder Entrée" which is served à la minute (Washington manila clams, bacon, cream, celery, roasted potatoes, grilled bread) -- is it a deconstructed chowder?? $33.00 Sorry no pics.

    Photos
    Cynara Restaurant & Lounge - Christmas season in the bar.

    Christmas season in the bar.

    Cynara Restaurant & Lounge - Chocolate marquise: chocolate mousse, raspberry coulis, pomegranate whipped cream, Aleppo toasted hazelnuts.

    Chocolate marquise: chocolate mousse, raspberry coulis, pomegranate whipped cream, Aleppo toasted hazelnuts.

    Cynara Restaurant & Lounge - Happy hour onion burger

    See all

    Happy hour onion burger

    Hash - Corn Bread

    Hash

    4.0(545 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    •$$

    Our breakfast was fantastic. We ordered the 3 pound cinnamon roll first and it was warm, gooey,…read moreand had awesome cream cheese frosting. We then had the Hot honey bacon sandwich with tomato, avocado, and a spicy (but not hot) honey sauce. I added egg to mine for more protein. Came with breakfast potatoes which were crispy and seasoned. Our server, Devon, was so friendly and attentive. He came with a water pitcher immediately and was prompt with our order. A great experience! Prices were reasonable with size of portions.

    Hash is clearly a popular local brunch spot in Olympia, but for us, the food was a bit hit or miss…read more We ordered the biscuits and gravy, Portuguese sausage scramble, and corned beef hash. The corned beef hash was easily the best thing we ordered--flavorful and satisfying. The Portuguese sausage scramble was okay, but didn't really stand out. The biscuits and gravy were probably my least favorite; the gravy was noticeably sweeter than I expected and just didn't work for my palate. We had a considerable wait even on a weekday, which definitely shows how popular this place is with locals. Once seated, though, service was quick and efficient. The atmosphere is a pretty standard brunch setup with both indoor and outdoor seating. Overall, some dishes were a hit while others missed the mark. Nothing we tried was bad, but nothing really wowed us either. If you're curious, I'd say give it a try--but go for the corned beef hash!

    Photos
    Hash - Front of the house

    Front of the house

    Hash - Coffee

    Coffee

    Hash - Outside in front of the building

    See all

    Outside in front of the building

    The Park Side Café - vegan - Updated October 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...